Help me source cheap NMEA2000 field installable connectors and Tees

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subject says it all really,

Looks like I'll end up building 2 or 3 NMEA2000 boxes in order to keep cabling reasonably short. Problem is that I can either buy extra 2m drop cables, cut them and dump the side I don't want so that I have boxes that have a fix mounted NMEA2000 cable a' la transducers or ultrasound tank level monitors, or I can cut in half and get reasonably cheap field installable connectors (male as I understand) in order to reuse the remaining as a shorter drop cable and avoid a massive network of long cables behind the dash.

Now 30 quid delivered for a field installable male connector is more than getting another 2m drop cable :eek:
Do I have any other options?

Alternatively any reasonably priced device side box mountable sockets (ok, I always make a mess of this terminology with sockets, wall plugs etc) available?

cheers

V.
 
David2452 said:
Stop looking for N2K field attachables and start looking for devicenet ones instead, that's all they are, harsh environment process control network stuff which N2K used for network hardware.
http://www.molex.com/molex/products/family?key=devicenet_industrial_networks&channel=products&chanName=family&pageTitle=Introduction
Click to expand...

David, you're a star!!!!

this looks like it (not cheap but exactly what I wanted):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201536218134?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

cheers

V.
 
There's also an Actisense box that allows you to connect in multiple DeviceNet spurs. I thought there was also one that allowed you to wire them in directly, but I could find it with a quick two minute search of their website.

They do field installable connectors too.
 
vas said:
David, you're a star!!!!

this looks like it (not cheap but exactly what I wanted):
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/201536218134?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

cheers

V.
Click to expand...

Steady though, that is an M12, OK if you are using the thicker backbone for larger current but for most boats the M8 ones are standard along with the thinner cables. You could also look at using barrier strips, the N2K protocol allows their use for junctions instead of Tees, combined with a decent project case they can be a simple and economical alternative.
 
David2452 said:
Steady though, that is an M12, OK if you are using the thicker backbone for larger current but for most boats the M8 ones are standard along with the thinner cables. You could also look at using barrier strips, the N2K protocol allows their use for junctions instead of Tees, combined with a decent project case they can be a simple and economical alternative.
Click to expand...

confused!

measured a male micro-T connector (if I got that right, I'm talking Garmin N2K kit) and the outside of the thread is just under 12mm, sorry got the right tools at the boat but anyway it's nowhere near 8mm if that's what the M8 implies.
Are you sure that's not what I need?

cheers

V
 
I got my bits from here http://www.pecheur.com/en/gb/buy-cable-garmin-of-derivation-nmea-2000-102671.html. Short drop cable is £13. I got the field installable connectors too but they were cheaper when I got them. They are now showing as £21 each!! I used 3 as I had to run the backbone cable through pre-existing holes the same size as the wiring in various bulkheads . First one was half an hour of swearing, the last one was 10 minutes of relative sanity. I sleeved the bare wire so it did not touch the centre connector even though it is coated with something non-conductive.
 
neilf39 said:
I got my bits from here http://www.pecheur.com/en/gb/buy-cable-garmin-of-derivation-nmea-2000-102671.html. Short drop cable is £13. I got the field installable connectors too but they were cheaper when I got them. They are now showing as £21 each!! I used 3 as I had to run the backbone cable through pre-existing holes the same size as the wiring in various bulkheads . First one was half an hour of swearing, the last one was 10 minutes of relative sanity. I sleeved the bare wire so it did not touch the centre connector even though it is coated with something non-conductive.
Click to expand...

Thanks, that's another option the .3m drop cable. Catch is that then it's difficult to organise where to fit it. It's more flexible to have a proper receptacle and choose length of cable later on...

David or anyone else able to help, guys selling these came back to me basically saying we know nothing apart this:
Manufacturer MOLEX
Connector type M12
Connector type male
Number of pins 5
Polarisation A code - DeviceNet / CANopen
Connector variant with leads
Mechanical mounting for panel mounting, rear side nut
Connector socket
Locking system threaded joint, external thread
Connector series Micro-Change
Operating temperature -20...80°C
Electrical mounting cables
Sealing IP67
Rated voltage 250V
Rated current 4A
Wire cross section 0.34mm2
Fastening thread M14x1
Cable length 300mm

which is the info in the webpage anyway :D


I found a couple of inconsistent text vs drawings which is slightly worrying.

I see that MINI is the big bugger one with five pins all around
MICRO is what I need with five pins: four in a cross with the fifth one in the middle.

Seems that there ISN'T a MINI with larger dia and pin layout as the micro, am I right? Cause if I am, the connectors I linked to should be just what I want.

cheers

V.
 
David2452 said:
No, you are correct and I was half (if not fully) asleep M12 is micro which is what you need.
Click to expand...

:D

thanks just ordered three!

Now only need to get hold of some multi Ts found some Lowrance 4way Tees but they end up 90euro delivered either from UK or US :(

cheers

V.
 
Next time you can check out vyacht.net/opencart for all sorts of cheap M12 Micro/DeviceNet/NMEA2000 connectors and cables. They are working with the usual NMEA 2000 networks (but without the unnecessary NMEA label adding most of the cost). Seatalk NG would typically require an adapter cable.

Cheers,
Bernd
 
Bernd said:
Next time you can check out vyacht.net/opencart for all sorts of cheap M12 Micro/DeviceNet/NMEA2000 connectors and cables. They are working with the usual NMEA 2000 networks (but without the unnecessary NMEA label adding most of the cost). Seatalk NG would typically require an adapter cable.

Cheers,
Bernd
Click to expand...

thanks very much Bernd!

you've posted a day too late for my connectors, but 10euro for a 2m drop cable with one side openended perfect to fit on a custom NMEA2K box is v.reasonable price.
wonder if they produce multitees or other distribution connectors for 5-6 devices as i'm stuck for space behind the lower helm :(

cheers

V.
 
I have seen those DeviceNet-multi-connector-plates - but pricing is opposite of reasonable and if they don't really solve the space problem. If only space and not the budget has a limit then Raymarine obviously has this 4 or 5-tee Seatalk NG connectors which could be used with NG-N2K converter cables.

I have also seen these M12-LED-connectors http://gls-power.en.alibaba.com/pro...n_Waterproof_male_female_cable_connector.html - I have no reason to see why they wouldn't work with NMEA2000.
 
The Actisense QNB-1 (Quick Network Block) has space for 6 instrument drops and the backbone cable while also providing an option of a power insertion point. It also has LEDs to indicate presence of network power, data, fuse status and polarity.

The QNB-1 is available in 2 variants. The basic model suits custom length of cable with glands for the instrument drop cable that prevent water ingress when fastened. The most popular option is the QNB-1-PMW which is fitted with six DeviceNet Standard Micro-C female panel mounted wire connectors for plug and play operation.

Both options have glands for the backbone cable to suit micro to mini cabling.

http://actisense.com/products/nmea-2000/qnb-1/qnb-1-images.html
 
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